After C-Section Recovery

Your c-section recovery is really only just started upon leaving the hospital. If you know you are having a c-section it is a good idea to plan ahead and have your home set up to make your recovery from cesarean delivery as easy as possible. If your c-section was unplanned, hopefully some of these recommendations are in place simply for post delivery. In this article we examine what to do and what to avoid doing after you get home.

No matter how or why you had a c-section, you have just undergone major abdominal surgery. On top of that you have all the demands of a new baby. Because of this you simply can't pick up life as it was, nor should anyone else be expecting you to. It will be at least 4 - 6 weeks before you should do anything but light housework, any kind of taxing activity and heavy lifting. It is generally advisable to not lift anything heavier than your baby for the first two months. A sign you might be doing to much is if your bleeding increases.

You are probably wondering how things are going to get done? Ideally people offers to help. If and when they do - say yes to them. It's a good idea to plan ahead of time what will need doing - shopping for groceries (or stock up as much as possible before delivery), doing laundry, cooking meals are just a few basics to get covered. For those who already have children, planning care for them is also a good idea. Arranging play dates at weekends and after school for example will be enjoyable for them and gives you the freedom to focus on baby and healing.

In the event that not enough people offer help, then simply ask for it. Start with your partner, parents, in-laws, neighbors and friends. Most people are quite happy to lend a hand. Ask a close friend to start a meal wheel and have a group of friends and family make an evening meal for you. The key is to ask as many people as possible so that each person is only doing one or two things a week. If you can afford it you might also hire someone to help, at least for the first week or so, at least for a couple of hours a day. Some doulas specialize in this period of postpartum care.

Another big help is organizing your home ahead of time. Do this with your postpartum physical limitations in mind. For example, having the baby changing station, your and baby's clothes near by. This will help minimize unnecessary moving around. A big one is to avoid going up and down the stairs as much as possible because it can open or aggravate your wound. Ideally you should avoid or minimize such movements for a few months. This may mean setting up a bedroom on the ground floor.

Because a c-section is major surgery you should only shower and not take baths, until your wound is healed and you're vaginal bleeding has stopped (up to six weeks). Avoiding exercise beyond walking is advisable, until your doctor gives you the go ahead. Unfortunately perhaps this also applies to sex. Once you feel ready to resume your love life discuss birth control with your partner and doctor!

Having said that, there is much benefit in taking regular walks. Because walking is a low impact exercise it will help your c-section recovery because it gets your blood and lymph moving. That said it's still important to pay attention to how your body feels and not over do it.

On the other side of things it's really important to get as much rest as possible, this advice is ignored at your peril! So follow this simple rule, when baby sleeps you sleep, or at minimum lay down and rest. Do not be tempted to think that baby sleeping means you are free to get on with things.
Once home from the hospital keep up a good fluid intake to avoid constipation. Eat simple and nutritious meals, this is especially important if you are breastfeeding, and is crucial for your c-section recovery and healing. Finally, keep an eye out for fever or pain that doesn't go away, as it could be a sign of infection.